International Women's Day

 Tomorrow, March 8 is International Women's Day. 

The women is my family line have all been strong women, some have been through unspeakable suffering and have come through while holding everyone up. The men, with the exception of more than a few, not so much. Yet they were the ones with the power, as is the way with the world, although that is slowly, perhaps too slowly, changing.

I don't know who wrote this, but it says it all for me.

 

 

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 "The light at the end of the tunnel."

The light is always there - if you look for it.

 

 

 

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Mini art quilt

 

 It looks like we're in for 6 more weeks of winter, if you believe the majority of groundhogs, our local groundhog Whiarton Willie excepted. Which means one thing: hunker down with a cup of coffee, and do some stitching.

I pulled out some fabric scraps and chose them by colour, and when I finished the composition I wanted, I realized all the fabric pieces were nature-themed: leaves, flowers, paths, water.

Sometimes it's best not to think too much and let your instincts guide you.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Indian Summer in the middle of winter

After several years of small paintings on paper, I've broken out an 11 x 14-inch canvas and attempted an abstract work with no plan in mind. The result: Indian Summer. 

Acrylic on Daler and Rowney stretched canvas.

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Save the bees

 My brother-in-law is one of the busiest retirees I know. He writes, paints, hikes, gardens,takes care of his extended family, and then there's his passion - bee keeping. He takes incredibly good care of them, to him they are a metaphor for life, and they reward him with excellent honey. For me, he's doing his part in his corner of the world to save Mother Nature.

Save the Bees

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

2023

 Happy New Year.

May it be happier, healthier and more positive than the last one.

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

2021 ends 2022 begins

 Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

Wishing you a new year filled with hope, peace, contentment, and good health.

 

 

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

It's been so long

 It's been so long, I've forgotten how to blog. Sometime I forget I have a blog.

 My very quiet life has a little more noise in it as things slowly open up and while we're still careful, it's nice to see old friends (human and canine). We lost a dear dog friend to an accident, but got another one, a sweet puppy that I'll be walking regularly. And for the first time in two years, I'm cat-sitting again for my neighbouring felines, Coco and Calypso. So good to see them again.

One thing I returned to was cooking dinner every night. I used to throw something together, but no more. I take the time to plan and cook.

I never have luck with meringues, so I painted them. 

Be well, be safe, thank you for stopping by.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

What I'm doing

Basically minding my own business.

Enjoying the scent of flowers

 Nurturing a pot of rosemary on my balcony

Vaccinated but still being careful. I'll probably use a mask for the rest of my life - during flu season and crowded situations, for example.

 Be well, stay safe.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Earth Day 2021

 Happy Earth Day!

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Latest from my little corner of the world

I received the Covid vaccine a week ago, and have an appointment for my second shot in the near future. I continue to mask up and social distance. 

With the weather warming up I've been bringing home some nature: a big pot of rosemary and smaller potted flowers. I don't have a garden so every year I create one on my balcony. 

This jade is from many years ago.

And this is my latest painting, acrylic on canvas paper.

SOLD

 Be well. Stay safe!

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Landscapes

 My latest landscape paintings, impressionistic, a little abstract. Painted on mixed media paper with acrylics.

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Still painting

I've been learning to mix my own colours. I used to shy away from that, especially as every colour imaginable is readily available in tubes, but that can get expensive and I don't need to create more clutter. Also, some colours you can only get by mixing: for example black on its own is flat, but mix it with ultramarine blue and you get a soft, complex black. 

This is my latest painting. Water and rocks. Acrylic on paper, 9x12 inches.

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Nightly Paintings

When I was a full-time painter, I painted at night. It worked for me. With the pandemic and staying at home, I rediscovered my nightly painting.

Monday night

SOLD

Sunday night

 

 The other night

SOLD

 

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

There hasn't been much to blog about lately. We are hibernating, waiting for the world the right itself. And painting.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Make your mark

 Mark making

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Nurturing young artists

My 7-year-old grand-niece has discovered the joy of art. She's informed me that she's drawing things based on my art (which is plentiful in her house).

I sent her a painting of a pear, and she made this. I'm impressed with the shape and the "shading".

She's also trying her hand at collage that I'm more than happy to encourage. She has a good sense of composition and colour.

 

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

And now it's mid-October.

I had a birthday.

I'm still here.

The days are getting shorter.

Let the stitching begin.

Stay safe. Better days are coming.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Still here

I'm still here and working.

Altering Victorian cabinet cards. 

Doing some collage work. 

Painting a landscape in France (after Derain). The landscape is in France, not me - alas!

Stitching together a birdie; since I took the photo I added tiny white buttons for its eyes.

 Hoping you're healthy and coping well. Stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands. And thanks for stopping by.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Heatwave

We're in week 3 of a heatwave. I eat a lot of this, cut up in chunks and ice-cold. Watermelon is mostly seedless these days, but a few sneak in. Stay cool, stay safe.

 Watermelon, watercolour/gouache, available in my shop

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Pretty little things

What I've been doing.

Sorting and assembling pretty little packages.

Find them in my Etsy shop.

SOLD

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

AQS

 I'm very happy to have contributed to the new issue of Art Quilting Studio.

 My article

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Week 4 of self-isolation

We are making memories.

Every day at 7:30 p.m., the hospitals' shift changes, and every day at that hour all over the city people come out on their balconies and front doors to bang pots and pans, cheer, clap, and lately there's even been a foghorn, to support our healthcare workers.

We have our share of troubles but I am incredibly grateful to be living under a very caring and proactive federal government. I give thanks daily.

Indoors, I'm triaging old artwork. I came across this one, acrylic and oil bar on stretched canvas, that I painted in the last century (haha!).

Dans le Midi (South of France)

 And this one, acrylic and collage

 

 Be well. Stay Home. Wash your hands. xoxo

 


Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Blogging in the time of the coronavirus

 I hope you're all doing well. I don't have much to say, as I spend most of my time at home.

I make two trips out for necessities, wearing my mask and gloves, and a daily evening walk in an isolated part of my neighbourhood. The exercise is a must and luckily anyone I come across respects distancing.

Indoors, I do the usual:

Playing

Stitching

Discovering old sketches

 

 Be safe. Be well. Wash your hands. xo






Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Wash your hands

 Long after this Covid is over, I will remember "Wash your hands" as being the slogan for 2020.

If you're reading this, I hope you're taking care of yourself and yours, and sending you positive energy. All is well in my little corner of the world; we're taking precautions, and helping those who need help.

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Art Quilting Studio

 I was invited to contribute to the Summer 2020 issue of Art Quilting Studio, and today I finished writing the article, a week before the deadline. It's always a great feeling to finish a piece. I wish I could show you the art quilts, but I can't. We have to wait until publication - June 1.

Meanwhile, a work in progress.

 

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Japanese story

I love the concept of furoshiki, the traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. So I decided to make one .............

............... using Western fabrics.

I listed it in my Etsy shop, and it was purchased by a Japanese buyer in Japan. So I sent it off, feeling a little nervous for obvious reasons, but to my surprise and relief, the buyer loved it.

Sign me grateful!

Arigato

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

New painting.

Ginger

 The photos don't do it justice. The colours are warmer in reality. Anyway, I'm just happy that I'm painting again!

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

The new year began with spring flowers... a lovely bouquet from a friend brightened up a grey day.

 

New work, getting off the ground slowly but surely. A quiltie showcasing an antique baby bootie.

In progress

Finished

 Available in my Etsy shop

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown